Hello Dave's. First of all, I'm sorry if this question has already been asked- but I was wondering if anyone had any information/experience about switching work visa from Eikaiwa to ALT work in Japan.

I recently switched from Eikaiwa to ALT work, but my Visa wasn't changed and I am still working on the Eikaiwa "Specialist in Humanities" visa.

I ask because 1) a friend of mine also switched from Eikaiwa work to ALT teaching and his company required him to switch visas.
2) I've heard from a number of different sources that you are required to switch- but when I asked my company- they gave me some vague answer to the equivalent of "ehh, it's not -really- necessary" which I found a little suspicious- considering I have heard otherwise everywhere else.

However, I cannot find an official Japanese or English document proving this switch is required. My question is:

Does anyone know where I can find a more official or direct proof of "you must change visas" that I can show my employer?

Also, if they refuse to switch it themselves, can I take my signed employment contract and some pay stubs to immigration and apply for a change on my own?

I'm thinking about taking a visit home this winter and I don't want to jeopardize my stay in Japan- working on the wrong visa. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.

Also, if they refuse to switch it themselves, can I take my signed employment contract and some pay stubs to immigration and apply for a change on my own?

Tell them it's the law, and that you will legally not be able to work for them if you don't change. DON'T tell them that immigration will give you some slack if you are a bit late in the changeover. They've had this happen plenty before.

Quote:

I'm thinking about taking a visit home this winter and I don't want to jeopardize my stay in Japan- working on the wrong visa.

A vacation has nothing to do with your visa. In fact, with the current changes in alien registration, you don't even need a reentry permit to leave the country if you plan to be gone for less than a year. How did you figure a vacation would jeopardize your stay?

Generally speaking, smaller and less reputable ALT companies don't bother too much with this as they think they can fly under immigration. Also, some places that operate eikaiwas and send people to schools tend to be like this as well.